Comey Says Russia Will Attack America Again, First KC-46A Delivery Likely to be Delayed, US Shoots Down Armed Syrian Drone

​Former FBI Director James Comey testified before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on June 8, 2017. Screenshot photo.

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Comey Says Russia’s Election Hack was an Attack on All of America

The attack on the 2016 US presidential election was directed from the highest levels of the Russian government, Former FBI Director James Comey told the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Thursday. “It’s not a Republican thing or a Democratic thing,” he insisted. “It really is an American thing.” He said the ongoing FBI investigation into Russian efforts is important because “they are coming after America” and “they will be back.” Read the full story by Wilson Brissett.

USAF Expects Boeing’s KC-46 Delivery to Be Late, Boeing Insists

The Air Force doesn’t believe Boeing will meet its December 2017 deadline to deliver its first KC-46 aircraft delivery, saying in a statement released Thursday it thinks that actual delivery will take place in Spring 2018. Boeing is sticking to its plan to deliver the first new tanker by the end of the year. Read the full story from Gideon Grudo.

US Forces Down Armed Syrian Drone

US forces on Thursday shot down a suspected pro-regime drone inside Syria, the third time US forces have taken kinetic action against forces allied with the regime. Army Col. Ryan Dillon, spokesman for Combined Joint Task Force-Operation Inherent Resolve, said during a Thursday briefing the drone was armed and had been firing on US forces near the At-Tanf Garrison. Read the full report by Brian Everstine.

Director of F-35 Integrated Test Force to Become Astronaut

Lt. Col. Raja Chari, who previously served as director of the F-35 Integrated Test Force, was chosen by NASA to be part of its 2017 astronaut candidate class. After being selected, Chari (a colonel select) relinquished his duties as commander of the 461st Flight Test Squadron. He reports to duty in August and will spend the next two years training to be an astronaut. The 1999 Air Force Academy graduate has flown more than 2,000 hours in the F-35 strike fighter, F-15 Strike Eagle, F-16 Fighting Falcon, and F-18 Hornet, including F-15E combat missions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Chari has a bachelor’s degree in astronautical engineering and engineering science and he received a master’s degree in aeronautics and astronautics from MIT. Chari also graduated from the US Naval Test Pilot School. NASA introduced 11 other astronauts on Wednesday “who will train for missions into Earth’s orbit and into deep space,” according to an Air Force release. They include six military officers, three scientists, two medical doctors, a lead engineer at SpaceX, and a NASA research pilot.

Canadian Defense Review Boosts Spending, Mum on CF-18 Replacement

Canada’s Department of National Defense pledged to increase its military spending by 70 percent over 10 years in a defense policy review released Wednesday. The document offers no further clarity on which aircraft Canada’s DND will choose as a long-term replacement for its aging fleet of CF-18 fighters, but the plan does note that the long-term goal is to procure 88 advanced fighters to allow Canada to “deliver on NORAD and NATO commitments without compromise." Read the full story by Wilson Brissett.

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RADAR SWEEP

—The US Air Force Weapons School at Nellis AFB, Nev., has expanded its integration phase for class 17A to include a new emphasis on creating leaders "in the modern era of joint warfare," one of Chief of Staff Gen. David Goldfein's top three priorities: USAF release

—Former Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James has joined the global business consulting firm, Bain & Company, as a special adviser: Company release